BB 01-17-25

BRADFORD BULLETIN

VOLUME XVII, ISSUE 25

JAN 17, 2025

 

FROM THE OFFICE

FOR ALL: 
  • ZIPCAST:  During this spring semester, Bradford administration and staff will be making our announcements and highlighting various events and ideas on Zipcast.  If you aren’t listening regularly already, we invite you to join in!  Simply text BANC to 833-409-4823.  It’s so easy!  The Zipcast is delivered right to your phone via text every Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. so you can listen on the way to school!  
  • ENROLLMENT TASKS:   Preparations for the 25/26 school year enrollment are underway.  We will be sending tasks and reminders each week to keep you informed.  
  • New students:  Complete an  application to Bradford Academy   for younger siblings you plan to enroll.
  • Current TK Students:  If your student is in TK this year…
    • Fill out this form to let us know if you want to select Kindergarten half day or full day
    • Set up your NC Opportunity Scholarship (NCOS) account.  Go HERE to learn how.
    • February 1st:  Apply for the scholarship
  • Returning students:  
    • If your student is receiving the NCOS this year, please follow instructions sent in your email from the state about steps you need to take to renew it for the 25/26 school year.
    • If you did not apply for the NCOS previously, please set up an account.  Go HERE to learn how.  Plan to submit your application on February 1st.  
    • NOTE: If you need financial assistance, you must apply for the NC Opportunity Scholarship.
  • Students not returning:  Submit a notice in writing to office@bradfordacademy.org no later than February 15th.  (Notices that come after February 15th are liable for the contract opt-out fee of $500.)  

LOWER SCHOOL- IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • 4th Grade:  Please complete this form for your child to attend the Spelling Bee on January 24th.
  • 3rd grade:  Mark your calendar!  There is a field trip coming up on February 20th.  Watch your email for further details.  
UPPER  SCHOOL- IMPORTANT NOTES:
HOT LUNCH on Thursdays: 
  • The weekly menu locks at midnight on Sunday night – so be sure to place your orders and check out in time. Once your account is set up, it should be easy for the rest of the year! ORDER HERE  
FROM MRS. MITCHELL:  

Perhaps before hearing this week’s Zipcast, you hadn’t thought about homework as an act of worship, an act of stewardship, using the gifts that God has given students to learn and grow.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 1:7).  This familiar verse can reframe the homework attitudes of both students and parents, allowing you to be refreshed in knowing that an attitude of worship is a very different starting place than we normally assume.  As you pause,  pray, and commit this time to the Lord, may He meet each of you in the challenges, character formation, and yes, delight that comes from mastering material and gaining knowledge as well as wisdom.

UPCOMING

NEXT WEEK:
  • Mon, 1/20:  MLK Observed, no school
  • Tues, 1/21: HOME Varsity Boys Basketball vs Grace Christian (4pm)
  • Thurs, 1/23: Basketball Games
    • HOME MS Girls basketball vs. Haw River Christian Academy (3pm)
    • HOME MS Boys basketball vs. Haw River Christian Academy (4pm)
    • AWAY Varsity Boys basketball vs. New Garden Friends (6:30pm)
  • Fri, 1/24:  Spelling Bee for 4th – 8th grades at Upper School Campus
  • Sat, 1/25: Girls Soccer Preseason Training at MACC baseball outfields (1-3pm)
 IN THE NEAR FUTURE:
  • Wed, 1/29:  (potential) Rodeo Roundup:  K and 1st grade celebrate 100th day of school
  • Thurs, 1/30: HOME Varsity Girls Basketball vs Heritage Leadership Academy (4pm) *SENIOR NIGHT*
  • Sat, 2/1: Girls Soccer Preseason Training at MACC baseball outfields (1-3pm)
  • Sat, 2/8: Girls Soccer Preseason Training at MACC baseball outfields (1-3pm)
  • Wed, 2/12:  9th grade CLT10 standardized test
  • Thurs, 2/13: Varsity Girls Soccer Spring Season Begins at MACC (3-5pm)
  • Fri, 2/14:  Teacher Workday, no school
  • Sat, 2/15:  Contract Opt-Out deadline
    • Girls Soccer Preseason Training at MACC baseball outfields (1-3pm)
  • Mon, 2/17:  Presidents Day observed, no school
  • Thurs, 2/20:  
    • 11th grade: CLT standardized test
    • 7pm – Patriotic Program for 5th – 6th grades
  • Wed 2/26 – Fri 2/28:  10th – 11th grade to Washington DC
  • Week of March 9th:  Senior trip!
  • Fri, 3/14:  Reading day, Pi Day, end of 3rd quarter

  


FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK

 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

Transitional Kindergarten (Mrs. Grubb and Mrs. Weber)

TK students enjoyed a great week here at school! Students were introduced to letters D and P and practiced writing these letters and identifying the sounds. In math, our focus was on identifying & copying patterns and playing a missing shape game. Students were also introduced to geoboards which is always a treat. This is a new math manipulative that we will use in the coming weeks. Students created hand washing signs to display and took a walk through the school to identify common signs. This would be a great activity for when you are out and about in the car and in local business establishments. A few of our centers included: learning what a noun is and creating sentences using nouns, identifying and coming up with rhyming words, creating an animal story, and a science experiment where students determined if items sink or float. Make sure to take a look at the TK photo album for pictures from the week. In Bible this week we learned about Jesus and his temptation in the desert and also how he called his 12 disciples. Next week we will learn more about Jesus’s ministry. 

Lower School P.E. (Mrs. Bennington)

K – 4th
  • Students did a great job this week completing various physical activities that focused on following instructions. 

Lower School Music (Mrs. Bennington)

K-4th 
  • Students did a great job this week working on our first hymn of the quarter, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. Students have enjoyed learning about the meaning of each verse as well as learning about why the composer wrote the hymn. Third and Fourth grade students also worked on reviewing the first two notes for recorder as well as learning the third note. Students will begin playing recognizable songs this quarter on their recorders. 

Kindergarten (Mrs. Rivera and Miss Burdeshaw)

This Week
  • Our kindergarten scholars had yet another wonderful week of learning at Bradford. In math, we learned how to identify the even numbers to 20, how to identify and locate numbers on a hundred number chart, how to count dimes and pennies together, how to identify a line of symmetry, and how to draw a picture to solve a problem. In phonics, we continued our reader “To the Rim of the Map,” and introduced our first ever spelling list. In history, we discussed the Roman Destruction of Jerusalem, which was led by the emperor Titus in 70 AD. In art, we learned about perspective drawing. The students had the opportunity to use lines of perspective to draw a picture of the sun and a vegetable garden. In science, we are continuing our study of the moon and its phases. We have encouraged our young scholars to be looking at the moon and seeing how it changes each night. We hope that you all have a wonderful three day weekend in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.  day! 
Memory Work:   
  •  Romans 11:33-36 and review

 

1st Grade (Mrs. Cantaffa & Mrs. Smith)

This Week
  • This week, our first graders dove into learning with great enthusiasm and curiosity, discovering more about God’s order and creativity in the world around us! In Math, we focused on the facts for the sum of 11, worked with fractions by writing and comparing them, practiced measuring length, and traded pennies and dimes to strengthen our understanding of place value. The students were encouraged to see how math reflects God’s design in numbers and patterns. During Reading, we enjoyed The Tale of Galahad, which inspired discussions about bravery and virtue. In History, we continued exploring the story of the Pilgrims, reflecting on their faithfulness and perseverance in seeking God’s guidance as they established their new home. Art was especially creative this week as the students made dragons inspired by Hydra from The Tale of Galahad. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to express their imaginations while engaging with the literature we read together. In Science, we began exploring the classifications of animals, marveling at the diversity and intricate design of God’s creatures. Grammar lessons focused on action verbs, helping students grow in their ability to use language to communicate effectively and beautifully. Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we cultivate knowledge, virtue, and faith in our students.
Memory Work:  
  • Jeremiah 9:23-24
 

 

2nd Grade (Mrs. Hedgecock & Mrs. Eng)

This Week
  •  Each week the students look forward to gaining knowledge and wisdom.  Our Bible verse this week is teaching us to show patience and gentleness along with self-control.  While reading about Martin Luther King, Jr., we were able to see how he demonstrated patience and gentleness and was able to contribute to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and won the Nobel Peace Prize that same year.  God’s ways truly are the best way.  The students have been learning about fractions in math and looking for fractions in their daily lives.  In science we have started our study of the Animal Kingdom.  Each week the students will do an animal hunt for each of the five vertebrate classes and two of the invertebrate classes (insects and arachnids).  This week we completed our first animal hunt with a bird – the Emperor Penguin.  We hope to go on a field trip later in the quarter to reinforce what we have learned about the animal kingdom.  What an amazing variety of animals God created!  Latin is a favorite for many of the students and we enjoy discovering the many derivatives from one Latin word.  From pes (foot) we get pedestrian, pedal, pedestal, centipede and impede.  Along with the academic work, it is a joy to see the students interacting with each other and enjoying being together.  
Memory Work:   
  • Proverbs 25:14-16

 

3rd Grade (Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Meredith)

This Week
  • Daniel prophesied that the Israelites would one day be ruled by foreign leaders due to their disobedience and idolatry. One such man fulfilled this prophecy when he conquered many nations and most importantly, the Persian Empire. Students enjoyed learning about the military genius of Alexander the Great. Under the instruction of Aristotle, Alexander became one of the greatest military and political leaders ever known.  Alexander desired to rule the entire world and went from nation-to-nation conquering all whom he encountered. Thus, earning the name “the Great.” His life, however, was cut short when he suddenly died at the age of 32. In the absence of a plan for succession, fighting erupted. Alexander’s vast empire disintegrated.  Alexander the Great successfully unified much of the known world creating a common language, Greek, and a shared culture. This unification helped spread the gospel throughout the world. In math, we learned about  fractions and how to represent fractions in  shapes as well as on a number line. Students have worked hard to carefully craft their stories and poems for the Burlington Writers Club. Those who have already submitted their work were excited to share them with their classmates. We are looking forward to the rest of the submissions due next week!  In science, we began our study of astronomy and discovered the immeasurable vastness of the universe created and sustained by God. We rejoice knowing that “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork!” 
Memory Work:   
  •  Psalm 19: 5-6
Upcoming:
  • Burlington Writers Club  Submissions: Due 1/22
  • Field Trip: Morehead Planetarium – 2/20
  • Planet Projects:  Due 2/20 

3rd Grade Art (Mrs. Fairchild) 

  • We practiced this week in drawing still life objects and working on creating a rough sketch of several objects. This skill will be helpful for them to be able to use in future projects.

4th Grade (Mrs. McDorman and Mrs. Rankin) 

This Week
  •  This week, we explored the Magna Carta, which established the crucial idea that no one, not even a king, is above the law—an idea that ties directly into our visit from State Representative Dennis Riddell. He taught us how a bill becomes law and even invited us to introduce a bill to decide on North Carolina’s official state pizza—cheese and pineapple! In math, we worked with multiples and factors, honing our skills in identifying common factors. In grammar, we studied simple tenses—past, present, and future—and learned how helping verbs influence the tense of a verb phrase. We also held a class spelling bee where students displayed their talents. In addition, students read aloud their creative stories, and their classmates offered thoughtful suggestions for improvement, helping each other refine their writing. It was a week of deep learning, creativity, and collaboration!
Memory Work:   
  •  Matthew 5: 13-16; Catechism #90
Upcoming:
  • 1/26 Burlington Writer’s Contest

4th Grade Art (Mrs. Fairchild) 

  • We practiced this week in drawing still life objects and working on creating a rough sketch of several objects. This skill will be helpful for them to be able to use in future projects.

LOGIC SCHOOL

 

Mrs. Bennington

5th-10th Band

 

  • Introductory Band- We spent time this week continuing our review of skills learned to date. We reinforced our first five notes and our ability to play rhythms that incorporated quarter notes/rests, half notes/rests, and whole notes/ rests.  Students did a great job on their playing test on 1.29. 
  • Intermediate Band – We spent time this week continuing our review of skills learned to date.  We focused heavily on applying key signatures and accidentals to our warm-ups. We also spent time on our Concert Bb scale and exercises that helped reinforce our ability to play our Concert Bb scale. Students worked hard on applying various articulation patterns to their Concert Bb scale and other book exercises. Students reinforced their understanding of the word “Concert” before a scale. Students reviewed that certain instruments have to transpose in order for the band to sound like they are playing the same note. 
  • Advanced Band- We spent time this week continuing our review of skills learned to date.  We focused heavily on applying key signatures and accidentals to our warm-ups. We also spent time on our Concert Bb scale and exercises that helped reinforce our ability to play our Concert Bb scale. Students worked hard on applying various articulation patterns to their Concert Bb scale and other book exercises. Students reinforced their understanding of the word “Concert” before a scale. Students reviewed that certain instruments have to transpose in order for the band to sound like they are playing the same note.

 

Mrs. Johnston

5th – 8th Chorus, Bradford Chorale
  • 5th Chorus – We had a different sort of week and practiced our sight-reading skills while combining with band class. We clapped and counted their rhythms and sang their music, testing our accuracy through matching what they were playing. God-willing, we will be back to introductory piano next week!
  • 6th-8th Chorus – We learned the Sevenfold Amen, reviewing our solfeggio skills and practicing independence of parts.
  • Chorale – We continued working on The Star-Spangled Banner, focusing on style, enunciations, interpretation and expression. God-willing we will perform for the Basketball Senior Night.

5th Grade (Mrs. LaTour and Miss Johnston) 

This Week
  • This week was a busy week with lots of in class assignments and activities. We finished The Witch of Blackbird Pond and discussed how the character of Kit changed from the beginning of the book until now. The students also worked hard on their Burlington Writers Club Story. They are nearing the end and have done excellent work so far! In math, we continued learning how to multiply fractions and learned several different methods for how to do so. In history, the students learned about the first Continental Congress. We also had a very exciting guest speaker this week! Representative Dennis Riddell came and spoke to both 4th and 5th graders. He was very informative and the kids had a great time while also learning about how our state government works, specifically how they pass laws and vote. Ask your kids about the state pizza! 
Memory Work:  
  • Philippians 2:3-4

6th Grade (Miss Stevenson)

6th Reading and Literature
  • We are continuing to work our way through Something Greater Than Gold
6th Grammar and Writing
  • Students turned in their first draft of their fictional story this week. The final draft is due Thursday, January 30. 
6th Bible
  • We are continuing to work our way through the gospel of John. 
6th History
  •  This week we discussed the Age of Industry in the United States. This was the time immediately after the Civil War when life became easier for people in general due to faster and more reliable transportation and more factory-made products such as clothing.
6th Science
  • This week in Science we discussed the hierarchical organization of living things as well as cell theory.
6th Logic
  • We are beginning to work our way through statistical fallacies in Logic. This week we discussed the difference between strong and weak generalizations and strong and weak analogies. 
6th Latin
  • This week in Latin we reviewed transitive and intransitive verbs.

Mrs. Crotts

6th Math
  • 6th Graders worked through chapter 7–decimals to fractions, subtracting and adding fractions and balancing equations with fractions.  We also worked on challenge problems and students showed clever and logical thinking.

Mrs. Palmer 

6th Art
  • Students learned about their new artist of the quarter, NC Wyeth.  We looked at Wyeth’s artwork and began to prepare for our upcoming project.  Students will be working on a landscape drawing in the coming weeks. 

Dr. Wright

7th Composition 
  • We continue to work on our Burlington Writers’ stories.   Our in-class spelling bee was this week, and the all school bee will be next week, 1/24/2025.  
7th Omnibus – Literature, History, Bible
  • We continue in the themes of Oedipus Rex, and have probed Scripture to investigate the relationship between human decisions and the will and plan of God.  Ancient Greek history, now concerning Alexander the Great, is our historical focus for this time. 
7th Logic
  • Students now identify ten of the informal fallacies, though the snow delays have limited our ability to expand our logic times as I had planned previously.   

Mrs. Frueh

7th Science
  • We continued our study of rocks and minerals with a close study of igneous and sedimentary rocks and the different ways in which these rocks form. We also discussed the formation of fossils. Ask your student why fossils are only found encased in sedimentary rocks, but are never found encased in igneous rocks. Additionally, ask your student how the fossil record points to evidence for a global catastrophic flood.
7th Pre-Algebra
  • We continued our new semester with lessons on adding and subtracting signed numbers. As you may have noticed during homework time, the second half of our math curriculum can be quite challenging, but not beyond what our students can handle. It does take time and discipline to think through multi-step problems, but this is all part of the process of learning to think critically and to apply logic to arrive at the correct solution. Continue encouraging your student to be diligent in their daily work, aiming for excellence and mastery, not just completion of the task.

Mrs. Palmer 

7th Art
  • Students spent this past week learning about our next artist of the quarter, NC Wyeth.  We also began our next project focusing on using pen and ink techniques to create a detailed drawing. 

Miss Johnston

7th Latin
  • We continued reviewing for their test which they took on Wednesday! They did well during the times that we were reviewing so I am confident that they did well on their test.

Dr. Wright

8th Omnibus 
  • History:   We have taken time to examine the Christian calendar, noting its fundamental connection to the major events of Christ’s life, and its development by the early and medieval church as a way of teaching Scripture.  The Carolingian renaissance continues to be our primary historical focus. 

 Miss Johnston

8th Latin
  • We began our new chapter this week. The students learned about prepositions and the 3rd conjugation verb. We will continue practicing both next week.

Mrs. Frueh

8th Science
  • We continued our study of Newton’s three laws of motion with a closer look at Newton’s Second and Third laws. These laws govern not only the motion of objects here on earth, but also the motion of all objects in the universe. Students are hard at work designing their self-propelled vehicles. Ask your student how a knowledge of Newton’s Second and Third laws affects the design of their vehicle.
8th Algebra I
  • We continued this week with solving and graphing inequalities and absolute value equations. Many of the skills learned in the first semester are coming to bear as we build on these skills and apply them to different situations.

Mrs. Palmer 

8th Art
  • Students spent this week finishing up their magazine collages and learning about our next artist of the quarter, NC Wyeth.  

Mr. Crotts

8th Logic
  • We are learning the square of opposition, which shows students the relationship between the  four standard  statements of categorical logic.

RHETORIC SCHOOL

 

From the COLLEGE COUNSELING Office:

9th-12th

  • Seniors continue to apply for scholarships and admission to universities.
  • TO NOTE:  due to being qualified for the  NC Opportunity Scholarship 11th graders need to take the ACT this spring.  Visit act.org for dates and locations.  Students will be reimbursed.
  • Juniors met for the first of six classes to learn from College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School  by Ph.D. Steven R. Antonoff.   These classes will be about the college admission process.  Also, juniors who have not met individually met with Mrs. Crotts to gauge where the student is in the college search process.

 

Mrs. Palmer 

9th Spanish 
  • We spent time reviewing past vocabulary and grammar concepts this week.  Students were also given the opportunity to teach the class an irregular verb with all of its idiosyncrasies.  They did a great job with this!  We will have our next chapter test on Wednesday, 1/29. 

Mrs. Frueh

9th Geometry
  • We wrapped up our first unit of the new semester by finding ways to prove similar triangles. The students realized that many of the skills they learned in proving congruency can also be applied to prove similarity.

Mr. Crotts

9th Logic
  • We are learning how to navigate dilemmas – deciding among several choices. Do I get chocolate ice cream or vanilla? One way to solve this everyday dilemma is to get both! Another way is to have vanilla today and look forward to chocolate tomorrow. Or, you could scrap both and get strawberry flavor.

Dr. and Mrs. James

9th Biology
  • This week we began a study about genetics, and the students learned about dominant and recessive alleles and how to calculate probabilities of phenotypes using Punnett squares.
  • Next week we will continue discussing the connection between genotype and phenotype, and we will include discussions of pedigree and the chromosomes that determine males and females.

Mrs. Crotts

9th Literature
  • 9th Graders learned about the philosophical influences on 19th Century author Louisa May Alcott–transcendentalism.   They began reading Little Women.  Students will write contrasting a Biblical worldview and transcendentalism which finds its roots in Hinduism.

Dr. Byrd 

9th Bible 
  • We have finished the book of Psalms and are continuing to study the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament.
  • Scripture Memory: Psalm 119:1-3

Dr. James

10th Chemistry
  • This week the students learned about the mole and how it enables scientists to perform calculations between grams and a number of atoms or molecules.
  • Next week, the students will learn about elemental analysis and how scientists can take an unknown substance and determine its molecular formula.

Mrs. Palmer 

10th Spanish
  • We spent time reviewing past vocabulary and grammar concepts this week.  We will have our next chapter test on Wednesday, 1/29. 

Mrs. Byrd

10th Algebra II
  • We began this quarter by reviewing properties of exponents.  We also brushed up on polynomial long division and learned a new division technique – synthetic division- and how it applies to factoring and solving polynomial equations.

Mrs. Crotts

10th Literature
  • 10th Graders began reading Edith Hamilton’s Mythology.  This is an excellent source to summarize mythology written in the authors’ later years.  The students will write a summary that could be taught to younger grades.

Miss Oldham

10th Rhetoric I
  •   We chose new speech topics and have begun the discussion on the three types of rhetoric. 

Dr. Smith

10th Historical Theology
  • We reviewed what we had covered at the end of semester one, which was developments in theology during the late Medieval period. This amounted to looking at how the organic union between such realities as faith and reason, the natural and supernatural and the church and the state began to be regarded as having been severed. Thus, rather than people recognizing a distinction between these realities they began to regard them as either disconnected, and thereby, played off against one another, or dissolved into each other, so that a proper distinction between them could not be made. 

Mrs. Palmer

11th Spanish III
  • This week we spent reviewing past grammar and vocabulary. Students also learned the future perfect tense. We practiced our conversation skills by focusing on using our knowledge accurately and with correct grammar (which is a more challenging task in the target language than it may seem!). 

Mrs. Byrd

11th Precalculus
  • We learned some basic trig identities and how they can be used to simplify expression and find exact values of trig functions.  We also learned how to find trig ratios for any size angle.
11th Physics
  • We are wrapping up our unit on transformation of energy.  We did a lab that estimated how much work friction did on a rolling golf ball and concluded that neglecting friction (as we did initially) is an oversimplification.  We are now learning how to account for the work of friction in our transformation of energy problems.  After a test on this unit next week we will begin a study of momentum.

Miss Oldham

11th Literature
  • We began our discussion on CS Lewis’s classic The Great Divorce. 

Dr. Smith

11th NT Greek
  • Resuming any foreign language after a month away from it requires a healthy amount of review. So, that is what we have been doing this week. We will, hopefully, begin something new on Wednesday the 22nd but we will also continue to sprinkle in review of 1st semester vocabulary, grammar and syntax as we do.

Mr. Webster

11th-12th Systematic Theology
  • This week we began our section in the doctrine of Christ. We started out by covering the biblical covenants and saw how the story of the Bible unfolds from creation to Christ/new creation. 
11th History
  •  This we we began a new unit on the rise of power in kings and the church in the High Middle Ages. The students also read the Magna Carta this week and compared it to our U.S. Constitution. 

Mrs. Fairchild

11th / 12th Art History
  • I am so excited to be teaching this elective this semester. The students will be working to learn 6 art terms a week that will help them increase their vocabulary when we do art analysis and discussion. We began studying art found in caves in France and Spain.  Additionally, we have been working on art found in ancient Egypt.

Miss Oldham

11th / 12th Folk Stories
  • I am looking forward to this class! We have begun to discuss what makes up folklore and how it impacts our daily lives. 
12th Literature
  • We began our discussion on To Kill a Mockingbird
12th Rhetoric II
  •   The seniors are working on writing their next drafts due Jan 24th. I have scheduled their final defenses in April, please let me know if you have not received an invitation to your senior’s defense! 

Mrs. Byrd

12th Calculus
  • We began considering accumulation functions, the second major topic of our calculus course.  We used Riemann sums as a discrete method of modeling an accumulation function and learned the limit definition of an integral along with the continuous Gauss notation.  We also spent some time connecting the integral to a derivative both graphically and algebraically.